Alaska Driver License

Alaska Driver License

Thinking about moving to Alaska or buying a car, but you don’t have an Alaska driver’s license. Learn the Alaska drivers license renewal process. Moreover, learn how to pass the Alaska drivers license test.

For getting an Alaska driver’s license you will need to pass an Alaska driver’s license practice test. So, it is important to know the Alaska drivers license age.

To clarify, learn when you can apply for your DL and Alaska drivers license replacement process.

Alaska driver’s license classes

In the state of Alaska, for each license type, there’s a corresponding type of instruction permit. For everyday driving, you will need to obtain a driving license Class D.

Class D

To clarify, the driver’s license Class D allows you to operate any non-commercial motor vehicles with the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less. Including passenger cars or trucks, vehicles designed to carry 15 passengers or less including the driver, recreational vehicles, mopeds, small scooters, or motorcycles 50 cc or less.

Off-highway

That is to say, this allows the residents of rural communities to apply by mail to drive on roads that are not connected to the State highway system. And on roads that are not connected to a highway or vehicular way with an average daily traffic volume greater than 499.

Commercial Class A

In short, Class A allows you to operate a combination vehicle with the GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more with the towed unit (GCWE 10,001 pounds or more).

Commercial Class B

In short, Class B is for operating any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more with a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 or less.

Commercial Class C

To clarify, Class C is for driving any single motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less. And, a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or hazardous materials.

Steps to obtain an Alaska Driver License

To obtain an Alaska DL you should visit your local DMV office.

But, according to your age, you should decide which type of license you need.

So, if you are from 14 to 18 you should apply for the Instruction permit.

Between the ages of 16 to 18, you can apply for the Provisional license.

Only after you’ve become 18 years old, you can apply for the Full Driver’s license.

Steps to apply for the Instruction permit

To clarify, an instruction permit is required to drive on a street or highway when you are learning to drive. Even if you have the permit you cannot drive alone. You should be with a licensed driver, who is more than 21 years old and has at least 1 year of driving experience.

So, to obtain an instruction permit:

  • Firstly, schedule an appointment in your local DMV office and apply in person. Your parent should be with you to complete and sign a special form
  • Secondly, pass a vision test. You must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision
  • After that, you should pass the written knowledge test. If you pass the test you will need to pay $15 and take your permit

The required documents

  1. Bring one primary and one secondary document. As a primary document, you can bring, for example, a U.S. birth certificate or passport, a foreign passport with appropriate immigration status, etc. As a secondary document bring school ID, health insurance card, or medical records
  2. As proof of your principal residence provide one of the following documents: utility bill, paycheck stub, mortgage or rental documents, medical assistance card, or a letter from employer on letterhead verifying your residence address
  3. Your social security number

Steps to apply for a provisional license

If you are driving a car with the instruction permit for at least 6 months, you can apply for the provisional license. It will allow you to drive alone most of the time. But, there are some restrictions. For example, you may not carry non-sibling passengers under the age of 21 or drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless, you are with a licensed driver who is 21 or more, or driving within the scope of your job.

To obtain a license you should, firstly make an appointment at your local DMV office and come with your parent.
And provide the following documents:

  1. Certificate to approve that you have passed at least 40 hours of supervised driving. The driving should include at least 10 hours of driving at night or in bad weather
  2. Also, submit your instruction permit

The payments

You will need to pay $15 to take a road test. And, $20 as a license fee.

Full Class D driver’s license

You can apply for your full driver’s license at the age of 18. But, if you already have a provisional license for at least 6 months, you can make an appointment at your local DMV office and just change your license and obtain a full one.
So, if it is your first Alaska driver’s license you should:

  1. Firstly, make an appointment and visit the local DMV office to complete the application form
  2. Secondly, pass a vision test. To qualify you must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision
  3. Thirdly, pass the written knowledge test
  4.  Then, pass the alcohol and drug awareness knowledge test
  5. After that, you will need to pass a road test. The road test fee is $15

If you pass all the tests you should pay $20 as a license fee and take your license.

The required documents

  1. Bring one primary and one secondary document. As a primary document, you can bring, for example, a U.S. birth certificate or passport, a foreign passport with appropriate immigration status, etc. As a secondary document bring school ID, health insurance card, or medical records
  2. As proof of your principal residence provide one of the following documents: utility bill, paycheck stub, mortgage or rental documents, medical assistance card, or a letter from employer on letterhead verifying your residence address
  3. Your social security number

Alaska driver’s license renewal

There are 3 options to renew your DL.

In-person

  1. Visit your local DMV office and submit the required form
  2. Pass a vision test
  3. If you haven’t taken it yet, pass an alcohol and drug awareness knowledge test
  4. Pay the $20 as a renewal fee

You will receive a temporary license until your full DL arrives within 2 weeks.

The required documents

  • One primary document. For example, driver’s license, birth certificate
  • One secondary document. For instance, employee ID, health insurance card
  • Proof of your residence. Such as utility bills, rental documents

Renewal by mail

If you are over 22, your personal information hasn’t changed and you have never renewed your DL by mail, you will be able to renew the license by mail.

  1. Pass a vision test
  2. Complete the required form
  3. Pay the $21 fee
  4. Send the documents to the following mail

Juneau Driver Services
State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 110221
Juneau AK 99811-0221

Online Renewal

You can renew online if you’re your personal information hasn’t changed. In addition, you are from 21 to 68, and you have already taken the Alcohol Awareness Test.

Visit the Alaska DMV website and renew your license.

Elen G

Elen G

Elen is an English-Armenian-Russian translator and interpreter. But recently she tested her skills in content writing. According to her words, it's her new passion. Elen finds it more interesting to make searches and write content rather than look through the dictionaries to find a good synonym for a word. She hopes, that she will succeed in this field too, and will continue to grow and learn every day.